LinkedIn Launches Free AI Certification Courses to Boost Workforce Skills
LinkedIn now offers free AI certification courses to equip professionals with essential skills in recruiting, talent acquisition, and learning development. Available until Dec 31, these courses address the growing demand for AI expertise. Google also joins with a new AI course via Coursera.
LinkedIn has introduced three new professional AI certification courses, available for free until December 31, as part of its commitment to address the rapidly growing need for AI skills in today's workplace. This initiative is tailored to equip professionals across industries with foundational and advanced AI skills, responding to the increasing integration of AI across all job functions.
Free AI Certification Programs on LinkedIn
LinkedIn's three certification programs are designed to address specific professional areas, each focusing on how AI can enhance roles within talent acquisition, recruitment, and learning and development:
- LinkedIn Recruiter and AI-Driven Talent Acquisition
This certificate covers advanced functionalities within LinkedIn Recruiter to help professionals better identify and engage candidates. The course includes training on candidate search strategies, advanced filtering techniques, and ways to personalize outreach. - Generative AI for Recruiting
Aimed at HR professionals, this program explores the transformative role of generative AI in recruitment. The curriculum includes six courses on AI’s impact on recruitment strategies, ethical considerations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and best practices for effective AI-aided interviewing. Industry experts, including Dr. Terri Horton and Glen Cathey, lead these courses. - Generative AI for Learning and Development
This course focuses on implementing AI in workplace learning, including methods to personalize training for employees and improve organizational upskilling strategies. The courses also emphasize the importance of AI literacy, featuring professionals like Megan Leatham and Dr. Terri Horton.
Additional Free AI Courses on LinkedIn
Besides the new certificates, LinkedIn is offering free access to several of its existing AI-related courses until the end of the year. These additional courses cover a range of AI applications across business, leadership, and productivity:
- Transforming Business with AI Agents: Autonomous Efficiency and Decision-Making
- Fundamentals of Agentic AI: Business Implications and Ethical Insights
- Critical Human Skills for the Age of AI
- AI for Organizational Leaders
- AI for Managers
- Career Essentials in Generative AI
- Build Your Generative AI Productivity Skills with Microsoft and LinkedIn
- Microsoft Copilot for Productivity
Why AI Skills Matter for the Future Workforce
LinkedIn data reveals that by 2030, 68% of job skills will undergo transformation due to advancements in technology, particularly AI. LinkedIn's Chief Economist, Karin Kimbrough, recently highlighted this in U.S. Senate testimony, emphasizing the importance of workforce reskilling to avoid falling behind. Kimbrough stated, “A growing number of employers are realizing the need not only to seek out new workers with AI skills but, more importantly, to develop their own AI workforce." Without these investments, companies risk losing productivity and a competitive edge to organizations that leverage AI effectively.
New AI Course from Google (Paid)
Adding to the growing resources on AI skills, Google has launched a new “Prompting Essentials” course, available through Coursera. This course covers practical applications of AI, including email adaptation and data visualization, following a structured five-step approach. However, unlike LinkedIn's free offerings, access to this Google course requires a Coursera membership.
Taking Advantage of AI Upskilling Opportunities
These offerings by LinkedIn and Google demonstrate a clear trend in prioritizing AI skills within professional development. By taking advantage of LinkedIn’s free courses, professionals can gain valuable AI competencies, preparing for a future where AI is integrated into virtually every aspect of business operations.
